Although it is 5,000 square feet and could potentially have a huge energy bill, efficient lighting and passive design keeps it down

Probably the most distinctive feature of this home is the ubiquitous use of wood paneling. While this may seem wasteful, most of it is either highly recycled or reclaimed wood. The board paneling was taken from an old barn! The landscape made flat-roofing and a green roof, which absorbs runoff, possible. A cistern harvests rainwater that is then used to irrigate the property, while windows, including clerestory ones, provide plenty of daylighting and natural ventilation.

A lot of what makes this home sustainable, however, is not visible, including geothermal HVAC, energy efficient lighting, water-saving plumbing, and paint that won’t give off harmful vapors. The main house, the guest house, and the master bedroom and study are heated and cooled separately keeping what could be an energy guzzler (at 5,000 square feet) significantly more efficient.